Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov shared a viral 6-word message on Monday, days after winning Olympic gold in the free skate final.

Mikhail Shaidorov became Kazakhstan’s first Olympic gold medallist in men’s figure skating after triumphing at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. View on euronews

Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan's gold medal in men's free skate stunned everyone — including himself. Here's what he had to say. (AP photo)

ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles from global media outlets covering Kazakhstan. This week’s digest highlights President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s reflections on global stability, a historic Olympic triumph by Mikhail Shaidorov, Almaty’s selection to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, deepening UK-Kazakhstan economic ties, and more.

In a shocking twist at the 2026 Winter Olympics, American figure skater Ilia Malinin​ didn't make it to the podium after falling twice during the free skate. Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov took home the gold.

New York, NY, United States, February 17, 2026 /MarketersMEDIA/ -- The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo have already gone down in history as a competition that brought together rich winter sports traditions and a new generation of champions.

Kazakh figure skater Mikhail Shaidorov says he is still spinning in disbelief after pulling off the biggest shock of the Winter Olympics so far.

In one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo, Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov won the gold medal. The gold for Shaidorov was completely unexpected. This was Kazakhstan’s first medal of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.